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£15m for ambulance services as response times rise

ITV News has learned that the Department of Health will provide £15 million to ambulances services as it was revealed that almost all the services across England are taking longer to respond to emergency calls.

Ambulance services to be given £15 million boost

The Department of Health have told ITV News that ambulances services will receive £15 million to help as a squeeze on A&E departments is expected this winter.

The ambulance service is the absolute front line of the NHS, providing often life-saving treatment to patients who need it the most.

We know a handful of services have experienced problems. NHS England is providing £15 million to alleviate immediate pressures on ambulance services nationwide.

– Department of Health spokesperson

The announcement comes after new figures show the average time it takes ambulances to respond has been going up in nearly all areas in England over the last three years - in the worst area the East of England service has seen times rise by a minute and a half.